Chapter 48: An Orientation [Bonus - ]
"Welcome to another year of the Imperial Spirit Academy," a calm voice announced.
Adrian and Renelle were now in a large hall with tiered seating, filled with students dressed in the academy’s black and white uniform.
But despite their numbers, they all remained quiet for one reason only.
At the center below, standing on a slightly elevated platform, was a young man.
He looked no older than his early twenties, yet the way he carried himself made it clear he stood above most present.
He had relatively long hair, half of which was tied back and the rest allowed to fall under the tied one, with short bangs at the front.
His eyes, behind a pair of round glasses, were similarly colored green, which left one to guess that his spirit was either a plant related one or wind related.
The young man had on similar uniform to all the other students here, except the black lines that ran along the collar and edges of his blazer were three instead of two.
A telling sign that he was a third year, unlike them.
"I am Cassian Everhart," he introduced in a calm voice, yet it was effortlessly carried across the entire hall without any visible voice amplifying magic tool, "third year, S-Class, and the acting representative for this year’s orientation for the second years."
Cassian paused, looking at the faces of each student, his gaze seemingly stopping on Renelle for a couple of seconds before moving on.
This caused Adrian to frown, but he said nothing, instead, he just continued listening.
But one thing had been made certain from just that gaze, he and Cassian were definitely not going to get along.
Renelle, on the other hand, noticed Cassian’s gaze on her and she also frowned, recalling something from her past life.
She then glanced at her butler, and sure enough, he had also noticed the gaze and even though his face remained neutral, she was sure he didn’t like it in the least bit.
Renelle was now sure of what she had seen in Cassian’s gaze.
Interest.
It might be something else, but if it was, then it was misplaced.
She had no intention of entertaining it, not in her previous life and definitely not in this one, but how would she assure her butler of that?
Cassian’s gaze moved on as if nothing had happened, his expression remaining unchanged.
"Congratulations to all of you for graduating from the first year," he continued, his tone steady, "and earning your place among the second years."
A few students smiled, proud of the fact that they had been among the few to move to the next year.
"As you are already aware, advancement within this academy is not guaranteed," Cassian went on, adjusting his glasses slightly, "your presence here simply means you met the minimum requirements to continue."
Again, this made the students proud of their achievements that brought them here, they felt superior, but that feeling would soon die down with Cassian’s next words.
"But don’t celebrate just yet," he said bluntly, "the second year is where the academy begins to differentiate between potential and actual results."
All the students immediately focused, even harder than they had been before.
"From this point forward, your evaluations will no longer be based solely on structured examinations," he explained.
"You will be placed in environments that test your decision-making, your adaptability, and your ability to function under pressure."
His gaze swept across the room once more.
"Field exercises will become more frequent and group assessments will determine your compatibility with others."
In short, the academy officially started in the second year, the first was mostly a trial phase.
"Class divisions will also begin to matter," Cassian continued, "those placed in higher classes will receive access to better resources, instructors, and opportunities."
The students, especially those in lower classes, started murmuring, only for them to quickly shut up when Cassian glanced at them.
"As for those in lower classes," he turned towards a certain set of students, "you’ll get the opportunity to rank up by issuing an official challenge to any top ranked student."
The students in low ranked classes were about to celebrate as they heard his words, but he wasn’t done yet.
"But remember," Cassian added, "if you lose, you will be dropped a class lower, as for those in the lowest class, well, you only risk dropping out at the end of the year, so that’s penalty enough."
He waited for them to fully absorb his words before continuing.
"Now then," he said, "your schedules and dormitory assignments have already been issued."
"Attendance is not strictly mandatory for those with private accommodations," he added, "though I would advise against isolating yourselves too early."
"Finally," Cassian said, his tone turning a lot more serious than before, "a word of caution."
The entire hall completely turned silent as every student leaned forward and listened.
"This academy does not protect the weak, it simply gives them a place to prove otherwise."
The meaning behind his words were very clear, get strong enough to protect yourself, after all, no one would protect you.
"Dismis—" Cassian wanted to say, but the next second.
BANG!
Someone burst in through the head, pulling the attention of the students towards it. He had a head full of red hair, and his jacket wasn’t even on.
The newly arrived boy, Darius, looked around in a bit of confusion before he spoke up.
"Finally," he said, "I’ve been searching for this place forever."
Without a care, he turned towards the closest empty seat, about to head to it, only to be stopped by Cassian.
"Mr. Lionheart, I believe you were supposed to be here thirty minutes earlier," he said, calmly looking at him.
Darius froze mid-step and slowly turned, "was I?"
"Yes," Cassian answered, "and unfortunately, the orientation is done, so you’re free to leave."
"Really?" Darius looked at him with a genuinely happy expression before turning to the door, "then I’ll be leaving first."
Cassian’s brows twitched as he watched the idiot leave, before letting out a tired sigh and turning towards the rest of the students.
"You’re dismissed."